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Volunteer fire police captain dies from injury-related complications after being struck by motor vehicle while directing traffic - New Jersey.

On February 23, 2003, law enforcement and fire department units were dispatched to a motor vehicle incident (MVI) at a State Highway/Township road intersection. Emergency personnel (fire fighters and fire police) were on the scene for approximately 30 minutes when a vehicle struck the victim while he was directing traffic in a heavy fog. On-scene personnel, trained as emergency medical technicians, came to the aid of the victim. He was then transported to the trauma center of a local hospital for further treatment. The victim was scheduled to be released from the hospital on March 01, 2003, but was not due to complications. The victim remained in the hospital until April 19, 2003, when he died as a result of complications from his injuries. NIOSH investigators concluded that, to minimize the risk of similar occurrences, fire departments should: 1.ensure that the placement of various types of warning devices (portable signs, orange traffic cones, flares and/or portable changeable message signs) informs drivers of what to expect when approaching an incident scene, and, 2. consider positioning flaggers on or near the shoulder of the roadway upstream (approaching traffic) from the incident scene. Additionally, incident management agencies (e.g., department of transportation) should consider disseminating traffic control and road condition information to motorists utilizing local commercial and public radio and television broadcasts.